As I mentioned in a previous post, relocating to Portland is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Below are my essential online resources to help you acclimate and fit in once you have relocated to Portland. This list is not about how to get here, rather it is about how to be here. Got any favorites that I missed?
Employment
Craigslist – It goes without saying that Craigslist could easily be the go-to website for most things Portland. It’s a great starting place for job hunters.
Boly:Welch – A downtown employment agency with a proven track record in Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resources, Legal, Office, Technology, Marketing and Creative.
There are a number of opportunities for government jobs within (1) the City of Portland, (2) Multnomah County, or (3) the State of Oregon.
Food and Drink
Hawthorne Hop House sampler
Portland Area Breweries – Know your craft beer! Even if you’re not a beer drinker.
Eater – Check their Heat Map and their Essential 38.
Yelp – How many stars does it have? A great way to get to know any city’s food and drink scene.
Food Carts Portland – While we didn’t invent the cart, we certainly popularized it and took it to the next level.
Social Media
NextDoor – NextDoor fosters a sense of community and lets you know what the hot topics are in your ‘hood.
Yelp – Yes, I already mentioned Yelp above in Food and Drink, but frankly it deserves a second mention here. If you put the time into the social aspects of the app, it is one of the best ways to meet other Portlanders.
Meet Up – Whatever it is that you’re into, you’re likely to find others in the Portland area who are into it too, and who want to do it, share it, and talk about it with you.
For Your Listening Pleasure
Radio Locator – Find local radio stations.
The PDX Beat – A podcast that provides a weekly dose of Portland culture, focusing on food and drink, movies, the arts, and music.
Oregon Zoo Summer Concerts – The zoo draws some great talent. Know who is coming to town.
Edgefield Concerts – Another concert experience that it “so Portland,” although it’s technically out in Troutdale.
Education
2014 Oregon school ratings from The Oregonian.
2014 report on Portland area public and private schools from Portland Monthly Magazine.
Great Schools – a non-profit organization that shares reviews and profiles of over 200,000 public and private schools (pre-K through 12) throughout the country. Reviewers include parents, teachers, and students.
News
The Oregonian – sometimes it’s fun to just skip to the comments section and see if you can figure out what the story was about.
Willamette Week – Don’t discount this freebie. They have broken some major stories ignored by other news outlets.
Outdoor Adventures
View of Mt. Hood from Lost Lake
Portland Parks & Rec – This website will hook you up with local parks, park space for rent, swimming and swim lesson options, community centers with exercise classes and so much more.
Sunday Parkways – Only in Portland does the Bureau of Transportation shut down major transportation routes so that people can walk, bike, skate, unicycle their way around the neighborhoods and visit local parks. It’s a summer tradition.
Oregon State Parks – Camp, hike, bike, go fishing, go birding, explore!
Multnomah Falls – Yes, this is Oregon’s #1 tourist attraction. Just about every out-of-town guest you entertain will want to go here, so get acquainted, embrace it, and marvel at its thunderous presence.
Speaking of Out of Towners…
Let’s face it, there are certain things that have become iconic Portland symbols. As a resident Portlander, you must know about the following so you can tell all your visitors how to get there (or whether or not they really should just avoid it altogether).
Powell’s City of Books – largest new and used bookstore in the world. Don’t worry; they have maps.
Portland Saturday Market – Portland’s open air arts and crafts weekend marketplace. Oh, and elephant ears.
VooDoo Donuts – If you find a line of people downtown, then you have probably found the VooDoo line.
McMenamins – Historic buildings converted to brew pubs, movie theaters, hotels, etc. They have saved many a building that may have otherwise been razed.
Essential Festivals
Rose Festival – It’s a big deal every Spring, so get on board, smile, and nod your head vigorously if it’s brought up in conversation.
Waterfront Blues Festival – Help raise money for the Oregon Food Bank. This is also a thing in Portland. More head nodding, but more mellow.
Mt. Angel Oktoberfest – Weiner dog races, among other festival things. Need I say more?